Tracking him all the way from Bithynia to Nicaea, their current location was only about thirty kilometers from Bursa.
If Vlad hadn't held his breath and taken a detour to intercept Muhammad, the man might really have run back to Bursa, and then another bloody battle would have been unavoidable.
Now, Mehmed, unable to withstand the domestic pressure, had resorted to a method most commonly used by Sultans: leading the army personally before the enemy penetrated deep into the heartland.
As a result, not only did he lose all the Ottoman forces on the western front, but he himself was captured by the Crusaders, becoming Laszlo's prisoner along with his son, Bayezid.
When several Ottoman light cavalrymen, who were starving and whose minds had completely broken down during the fighting, galloped back to Bursa and brought back news from the front, all the Ottomans living in Bursa were gripped by immense fear and sorrow, causing widespread panic.
In the Sultan's court, Zagan Pasha, who had just finished handling city defense matters and rushed to the Sultan's palace, saw the leaderless imperial nobles in complete disarray.
They anxiously discussed countermeasures with each other, but no one could come up with a definite plan.
Including the Grand Vizier, the ministers gathered around Zagan Pasha as if he were their backbone.
"Zagan Pasha, did you receive the news from the front?" Grand Vizier Rum Muhammad Pasha asked Zagan, who controlled Bursa's final defensive forces, with a worried expression.
The main enemy force was now very close to Bursa, and the tens of thousands of troops the Sultan had led out were completely annihilated. What could they do now?
"I regret hearing such terrible news, but we have already lost a monarch worthy of respect and devotion. We must now consider what comes next."
As one of Mehmed II's mentors, Zagan had followed him since his youth and was still entrusted with important duties by Mehmed even in his old age. He had actually anticipated the current situation, which was why he was able to remain relatively calm when it finally occurred.
"What comes next... do we still have a chance to negotiate peace with the Emperor and ransom the captured Sultan and Prince Bayezid?"
As soon as the Grand Vizier spoke, even he felt it was utterly preposterous.
When they still had the power to fight, the Emperor was unwilling to stop his Eastern campaign and conclude the war. Now that the Ottoman Empire's military power in the west was completely destroyed, why would the triumphant Emperor choose to stop now?
"You and I both know that is impossible," Zagan sighed, shaking his head. "The only way out now is to head east, to Ankara. That is where the Empire's last hope lies."
"Are you referring to Prince Mustafa?"
The Grand Vizier lowered his eyes. Zagan had reached the same conclusion as him. The eastern part of the Empire was still stable. If they fled there with the Sultan's court and installed a new Sultan, they would still have a chance to rise again.
"Prince Mustafa is deeply favored by His Majesty the Sultan and is highly intelligent. Most importantly, he is advised by Gedik Ahmed Pasha.
Gedik is the Empire's most capable general and commands a usable army. With him, the Empire still has a glimmer of hope."
Zagan highly praised Gedik, who had fought alongside him for many years. After all, both men came from the Balkans, fought together in the Janissaries for years, and were deeply trusted by Sultan Mehmed II.
However, the look he gave Rum Muhammad, the current Grand Vizier, was subtle.
As Prince Mustafa's mentor, if the Prince successfully ascended the throne, Gedik would inevitably replace the Grand Vizier.
As for Rum, an old official of Sultan Muhammad, his fate goes without saying; he might not even escape death.
Of course, none of this concerned Zagan. His health had been deteriorating lately, and he didn't have much time left, so he didn't plan on leaving.
The Sultan he had followed for over twenty years was now missing, likely captured by the enemy, and it was time for this old official to show his final loyalty.
As for the imperial nobles, civil officials, and military generals surrounding him, they all seemed to be contemplating how to preserve their power once they escaped to Ankara.
Perhaps only after securing their safety and the wealth they had enjoyed for years would they have the leisure to recall the pain of lost territory and a humiliated monarch, and then try to restore the fractured Empire.
"Since no one has any objections, please prepare quickly. The army of the infidel Emperor is not far from Bursa, and we must leave for the eastern Empire as soon as possible.
As for the safety of the Sultan's court, I entrust that to you, Zagan Pasha."
Unexpectedly, Zagan shook his head and replied, "I will not go east with you. The mission the Sultan gave me was to defend Bursa to the death. I will not abandon the Empire's capital and allow the enemy to easily crush this place.
However, your safety certainly needs to be guaranteed, and I will detach a portion of the army to escort you to the East.
All of you must wholeheartedly assist His Highness Mustafa and help him restore the Empire's homeland and wash away the humiliation the infidels have brought upon us today."
His gaze swept over the people in the court. Most of them lowered their heads in shame. Of course, some secretly mocked Zagan's foolish loyalty, but no one could deny that he was indeed an excellent general and a trustworthy official.
Later that day, the east gate of Bursa was crowded with people. Everyone saw the dignitaries leaving under the escort of the city guards, clearly fleeing eastward.
Bursa itself was not a large city. Decades ago, it had suffered a massacre by the Karaman people. Even though Muhammad had painstakingly managed it after moving the capital, the city's size only matched that of Vienna many years ago.
Consequently, the news of the mass exodus of dignitaries could not be concealed from the city's residents. People hurriedly packed their belongings and rushed to the capital's east gate, forming a massive convoy of refugees following the Grand Vizier's procession eastward.
Of course, not everyone had the chance to escape. Many residents remained in the city for various reasons.
Some held onto hope, others simply couldn't abandon their property and relatives, and some were penniless—fleeing meant death anyway, so they decided to stay.
After realizing that most of his city defense troops had deserted, Zagan Pasha attempted to select some of the remaining residents to assist in the defense.
However, almost everyone had lost the will to resist. Some even tried to persuade Zagan to surrender to the Crusaders in exchange for the Emperor sparing the city's residents.
Zagan angrily ordered the execution of those who proposed surrender, and then resolved to defend against the Crusader attack with the few hundred men he had left.
The Ottomans inside Bursa spent the day the bad news arrived in fear and trepidation. Early the next morning, the Crusader vanguard arrived beneath the walls of Bursa.
Vlad, who was commanding the cavalry, quickly sensed that the city's defense situation seemed unusual, so he ordered men to scout the other directions of the city. Soon, they captured Bursa refugees who hadn't fled far from the east gate.
After some interrogation, the Crusaders quickly learned the true state of affairs inside the city.
However, he could not immediately lead the troops to attack because the Emperor's forces were resting behind, waiting for the logistics units to catch up.
There was no other choice. The Crusaders had pursued the Sultan too deeply, stretching the front line very thin. If they did not rest and allow the soldiers to replenish their strength and recover their spirits after the arduous chase, morale and military discipline would inevitably be affected.
On the shores of Lake Iznik, Laszlo and his hungry Crusader warriors finally received the heavy supplies that had been painstakingly transported from Hersek.
Consequently, the soldiers ignored the environment and immediately held a small celebration in the camp.
Elements such as the Emperor's speech, victor's cheers, and singing and dancing were all ignored. The Crusader warriors, who had been starving for days, were only concerned with stuffing more food into their mouths to satisfy their stomachs, which were large enough to hold a cow.
Laszlo, as usual, toured the camp with his generals, ensuring that all the soldiers received adequate energy replenishment.
Afterward, he went directly to the tent where the Sultan was imprisoned. Mehmed and his son Bayezid were both held there.
The tent could not block out the lively sounds inside the camp, which only highlighted the desolation of the father and son.
The only thing Laszlo hadn't expected was that even as fellow prisoners, the relationship between the two remained as poor as ever. They sat in two corners of the tent, far apart, apparently having just finished an unpleasant exchange.
"Muhammad," Laszlo's voice broke the slightly awkward atmosphere, "Your great army once shattered the high walls of Constantinople, yet now you are my captive. I am curious, what does that feel like?"
The captured Sultan merely twitched his mouth, trying to keep his tone calm: "Laszlo, you shouldn't be too smug. In the past, a powerful emperor also defeated us, and my ancestor Bayezid I became his captive. However, fate favored the Ottomans again, restoring the Empire's unity and allowing it to rise rapidly, eliminating the lingering Roman Empire under my leadership."
Muhammad spoke Latin fluently, which relieved Laszlo, as he wouldn't need a translator.
However, he emphasized the words "Roman Empire" heavily, almost grinding his teeth, which showed Laszlo that he was not as calm as he appeared.
"You and I are both pawns of destiny. Today I am a prisoner; tomorrow your Empire will tremble beneath the Crescent flag. The descendants of Ottoman will certainly plant the banner of victory on the walls of Vienna. Just wait for that day to come."
That boast was so grand, Laszlo almost believed it.
Planting the Crescent flag on Vienna? Do you even have the capability? Forget you, even Suleiman couldn't do it! Don't you know that the decline of your Ottoman Empire was caused by constantly coveting Vienna?
And that East Roman Empire, a dying joke still consumed by internal strife, how can it compare to a legitimate Holy Roman Emperor like me?
Although he had complained ten thousand times in his heart, Laszlo maintained a smile. Only after Muhammad had finished venting did he speak calmly: "Destiny? Your destiny was to leave tens of thousands of muslims buried on the battlefield and allow me to destroy three of your capitals in just over a decade."
Laszlo's crushing blow left Muhammad speechless.
Seeing that Muhammad had lost his fighting spirit so quickly, Laszlo did not continue to humiliate him but ordered food to be brought to the shackled father and son.
A living Sultan and the Sultan's Prince were extremely useful to him, and he had no intention of threatening their lives in the short term.
Although he knew from certain unofficial histories that after Timur captured Bayezid I, besides parading him as the "Caged Lightning," he allegedly used him as a human footstool when mounting his horse and ordered Bayezid's wife to dance naked before his courtiers.
However, all these claims were eventually proven to be fabrications by busybodies. Besides being paraded, Bayezid was treated favorably by Timur after his capture. Nevertheless, the proud Bayezid could not endure the humiliation of capture and died by smashing his head against the iron cage.
Laszlo was now somewhat worried that Muhammad would be as principled as his ancestor, because he planned to take the Sultan to Rome for a triumphal procession. If anything unexpected happened midway, wouldn't he fail to fully showcase his achievements and prestige?
Seeing that both Muhammad and his son Bayezid were enduring hunger and refusing to touch the food placed before them, Laszlo offered words of comfort: "Regardless of the outcome, I genuinely regard you as a monarch worthy of respect—although I do not appreciate your actions in viewing yourself as the successor to the Roman Empire, your rule has been commendable.
I currently have no intention of executing you or your son. Even if that day comes, I will grant you a dignified exit. For now, enjoy this rare tranquility."
Having said this, Laszlo ignored the Sultan's angry glare and turned to leave the tent.
The Crusader generals waiting outside immediately gathered around the Emperor. Paul presented the Emperor with a reconnaissance report sent back by Vlad.
"The residents of Bursa have begun a massive flight eastward?" Laszlo raised an eyebrow. It seemed these citizens had completely given up hope in their Sultan, and fleeing out of fear was not surprising.
"Your Majesty, the Ottomans still have a considerable number of troops in Ankara and Konya. Their second Prince, Mustafa, is currently serving as the governor in the East.
If nothing unexpected happens, the Ottomans should enthrone that Prince as the new Sultan and continue to resist us. However, with the Karaman people constraining them, we don't need to worry about them coming to obstruct us."
Grand Master Giovanni, who was very familiar with the situation in Anatolia, immediately provided an analysis.
"That would be perfect, since our goal was never to penetrate deep inland."
It wasn't that Laszlo feared the Ottomans deploying troops from the East; if they could have done that, Mehmed would have done so already.
He had no intention of leading the Crusaders deep into the Anatolian heartland. On one hand, this expedition had dragged on for too long, and the soldiers' fighting spirit was nearly depleted. On the other hand, advancing deep into the plateau posed a massive logistical challenge, and since that was the Ottomans' home turf, success could easily turn into failure.
In contrast, bringing the western coastal territories of the Ottoman Empire under control involved neither great risk nor obstruction, while greatly weakening the Ottoman Empire's strength and paving the way for continued resistance against the Ottomans in the future.
The camp celebration soon ended. Laszlo immediately led the main army straight to Bursa. After a brief battle, they eliminated the few remaining defenders who resisted stubbornly, taking the capital of the Ottoman Empire almost effortlessly.